High school in Vista could win $50K in national contest

Rancho Buena Vista High one of top vote-getters so far

Rancho Buena Vista High School
is near the top of the list in a nationwide contest that could bring as much as $50,000 to buy new equipment for the school's aging theater.

The Power a Bright Future
grant competition is put on by the Clorox Company and asks voters to pick the school they think deserves money. The online contest runs through Dec. 19.

On Wednesday, Rancho Buena Vista was in second place in the “create” category. Schools that get the most votes in a specific category win $25,000 and whichever school gets the most overall votes in the contest will get an additional $25,000.

About 2,500 schools across the nation are trying for the money. Total vote counts weren't available.

There are several other North County schools participating, though none has nearly as many votes as Rancho Buena Vista.

Clorox will give seven grants to schools nationwide, including four that will be selected based on votes and three that judges will pick.

If Rancho Buena Vista is able to stay on top, educators there would use the money on equipment for the school’s performing arts center, which is used mostly by the school’s band and drama programs.

The upgrades would also be helpful for staff meetings and other events in the theater, Assistant Principal Shannon Garcia said.

“It’s almost like the fireplace of the campus,” she said. “It’s where we all gather to get our warmth.”

The school was able to get so many votes because of a concerted effort with students, alumni, parents and employees, she said.

Outreach has included posting contest information about how to vote in the contest on the school’s website — www.rbvhs.org — as well as on its Facebook page and Twitter account. calling parents, writing to alumni and announcing it at games.

“We want to keep the momentum going,” said Tom Berger, an English teacher at the school who’s helping to oversee the effort. “We want to stay number one.”

Because the equipment would benefit the school’s band and drama programs, the booster clubs and alumni have also gotten involved.

A lot of the equipment that students use for performances and rehearsals is either secondhand or falling apart, said Mark Scott, who has been teaching drama at the school for more than two decades.

“When every else is pulling out their cell phones, we have two paper cups and a line of string,” he said. “That $50,000 would really bring us up to speed.”

Anyone 13 or older can vote as many as twice a day at the website
powerabrightfuture.clorox.com
or by sending a text message with a code for the selected school.